American Solar Challenge: National Trail System 50th Anniversary Celebration- MWRO | NPS NOIP17AC00949 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS NOIP17AC00949 01

The American Solar Challenge: National Trail System 50th Anniversary Celebration - MWRO is a National Park Service (NPS) discretionary funding opportunity structured as a cooperative agreement (Funding Opportunity Number: NPS NOIP17AC00949 01; CFDA: 15.954). It supports a partnership between the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, and the Innovators Educational Foundation (IEF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that organizes and runs multi-state solar-car rallies. The core idea is to use the American Solar Challenge (ASC), a long-distance collegiate solar vehicle event, as a public-facing educational and interpretive platform that connects modern clean-energy innovation with the history and significance of the National Trails System.

The project centers on the Oregon National Historic Trail (ONHT), selected as the route for the rally in connection with the National Trails System 50th anniversary celebration in 2018. Because the ONHT is a long corridor that crosses many jurisdictions, including multiple national parks along with other federal, state, local, and private lands, it provides a ready-made framework for broad public engagement. The event is designed not just as a race, but as a traveling demonstration of solar technology and student-led innovation that moves through park sites and gateway communities, creating repeated opportunities for visitors and residents to interact with teams, learn about solar engineering, and reflect on how past American migration and exploration stories relate to present-day problem solving and technological progress.

A major emphasis of the agreement is experiential education. Collegiate teams are challenged to design, build, operate, and manage solar cars over long distances, which inherently requires applied engineering and systems thinking, but also practical skills like logistics planning, safety coordination, budgeting, fundraising, communications, and public affairs. In parallel, the NPS interpretive mission is advanced by weaving trail history and National Trails System themes into the event experience. The cooperative agreement format signals that NPS expects to be actively involved alongside the recipient in planning and delivering aspects of the project rather than simply issuing a stand-alone grant with minimal federal participation.

The stated objectives are a mix of public interpretation, youth engagement, and resource stewardship outcomes. They include engaging visitors with interpretive themes tied to the National Trails System, the Oregon National Historic Trail, and broader American innovation; creating a strong educational environment that pushes collegiate participants to learn about a significant chapter of U.S. history while they compete; giving youth meaningful roles in connecting the public to that history; and using the rally as a way to celebrate the 50th anniversary milestone. The agreement also aims to broaden awareness of national trails and associated history among new or nontraditional audiences, highlight the collaborative nature of trail administration (with NPS involvement alongside many public and private owners and managers), and engage the public with trail resources in ways that support understanding and long-term protection.

In practical terms, this opportunity funds one award with an expected maximum federal amount (award ceiling) of $60,000 and anticipates a single recipient. Eligibility is limited to nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status that are not institutions of higher education, aligning with IEFs nonprofit role as the organizer and coordinator of the solar challenge. The opportunity was posted March 27, 2018, with an original closing date of April 9, 2018, and it is categorized under several activity areas including community development, education, energy, environment, science and technology, and other research and development, reflecting the projects blend of STEM competition, public outreach, and place-based historical interpretation.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the community development, education, energy, environment, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "American Solar Challenge: National Trail System 50th Anniversary Celebration- MWRO" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.954.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 27, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 09, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $60,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for NPS NOIP17AC00949 01

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